Arpaio Attorneys File Motion For Acquittal

Witness testimony is over but former Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s attorneys are still trying to get the criminal contempt case thrown out.

After the final day of testimony on Thursday, Apraio’s lawyers submitted a motion for acquittal. The motion was submitted on the grounds of a violation of the statute of limitations.

The attorneys cited a federal law that says proceedings for criminal contempt should be instituted within a year of the act. Sheriff Arpaio is accused of violating a court order that was issued in 2011.

The latest date on which Arpaio is accused of violating the order is May of 2013. The motion states the case was referred for criminal contempt in August of 2016.

Arpaio is charged with willfully detaining and arresting people without state charges.

In the motion, his attorneys again argued the case deserves a jury trial, a notion Judge Susan Bolton decided against months ago.

The judge is still weighing what evidence to allow in the case. Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday, July 6.